Doc. 191.-the pursuit of Wheeler.
The following despatch has been received from Brigadier-General George Crook, commanding the Second cavalry division, dated Rogersville, Alabama, October tenth, 1863:
I have the honor to inform you that I have had three fights with the enemy since I left the Sequatachie valley, whipping them very badly each time.
The last battle ended at Farmington Farm, where I fought Wheeler's entire command with only two brigades.
I cut his force in two, scattering a large portion of it, capturing four pieces of artillery, one thousand stand of arms, two hundred and forty prisoners, besides the wounded.
As I pushed on after the enemy immediately, I have not been able to ascertain the number of their killed and wounded-but it was very heavy.
They were scattered over a distance of fifteen miles from this, and their retreat was a perfect rout, their men deserting and straggling over the country.
I pursued with great vigor, but their horses being better than mine, I was only able to come up with a couple of regiments at Sugar Creek, left to detain me. I made a charge on them, capturing some fifty of them and scattering the remainder in the mountains.
When within eight miles of the river I struck the gallop, but when I reached the river I found they had all crossed at a ford some three miles above Samp's Ferry, where they could cross twelve abreast.
I never saw troops more demoralized than they were.
I am satisfied that their loss in this raid was not less than two thousand.
No fears need be entertained of their making another raid soon.
